way, Should a third contend, that he ought not to apply to the physician till he had made himself better, and a more proper and deserving object of his attention; every one would perceive the absurdity of his conduct. Finally, should any one imagine that he was recovered, while his languor, want of appetite, inability for work, and other symptoms, proved him to be as diseased as ever; it must be concluded, either that he had not applied to the physician; or had not taken his medicines; or that the physician could not or would not do any thing effectual in his case.-The reader requires no help, in accommodating the circumstances of this illustration: in natural things men exercise common sense; while too many speculate on religious subjects in a manner which contradicts its most obvious suggestions.

he too must be deemed a madman.

The same things are implied in a general invitation to a feast; which is the illustration repeatedly employed by the holy Spirit. Without an appetite, a relish for the provisions, and some confidence in him who gives the invitation, men will make light of it: yet they, who " go their way," have the same warrant to come to the feast, as those whose actually partake of it.

The sincere beggar feels his poverty, desires relief, submits to the humiliating circumstances of his condition, and supplicates his more affluent neighbour in the best manner he can: yet these are not his warrant for applying and expecting help; but he takes his encouragement from the wealth or bounty of him, of whom he solicits re

lief; and, if he has bidden him come, and promised in that case to help him, this constitutes his warrant for coming.

All the Jews had the same warrant to return and rebuild Jerusalem, after Cyrus had issued his proclamation: but their settlements at Babylon, or iu other places, with the perils and hardships of the attempt, would have overcome their almost expiring attachment to the holy city, if the Lord had not" stirred up the spirit" of some among them them.* The rest had the same warrant but not the same willingness, to return: and this illustration is peculiarity apposite; because the reluctancy of the Jews arose from unbelief, and the carnal state of their hearts and their disregard to this typical redemption aptly represents the sin and folly of those, who neglect the great salvation of the gospel.

A willingness to be saved from eternal misery, and to be made eternally happy, according to men's several notions of happiness, is natural to all: but a desire of that holy felicity proposed in scripture, and of that humbling salvation from merited wrath and from all sin which the gospel proclaims, is widely different. Yet no willingness to be saved, which leaves a man wholly unwilling to be saved in the way, and with the salvation, of the gospel, can be of any use or value. The want of this willingness is the sole reason of the sinner's unbelief and destruction. Those, who perish from under the means of grace, have the same warrant to believe in Christ, as those who are saved: but the

* Ez. i. 1-5.

gospel is to most men " a price put into the hands "of a fool to get wisdom, while he has no heart "to it."

The brazen serpent, lifted up in the centre of Israel's camp, with the public declaration of its use, was a sufficient warrant to every man, when bitten by a fiery serpent, to look unto it. But if any were so deprived of sensation as not to feel the fatal bite, or so stupid as not to fear approaching death; if any foolishly preferred other methods of seeking a cure; or were so proud, rebellious, and unbelieving, as to shut their eyes, or look another way; or if any looked without at all expecting a cure according to the word of the Lord, they must have perished: not for want of a warrant to believe, but because they did not submit to the wisdom and authority of God, or rely on his faithfulness and mercy, in this appointed way of preservation.Every man of reflection will see how these things apply to the case before us: and it is obvious thence to infer, that all sinners, to whom the gospel is sent, have an equal warrant to believe in Christ, and to expect salvation from him, according to the holy scriptures; and that men perish for want of a disposition of heart to comply with the invitations of mercy, and to submit to the authority and commandment of God our Saviour.

SECTION III.

SOME REASONS FOR INSISTING ON THIS POSITION, THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS THE SINNER'S ONLY AND SUFFICIENT

WARRANT FOR BELEIVING IN CHRIST.

As a disposition to believe is equally necessary to salvation, with a warrant to believe, it may perhaps be thought by some readers, that it is not very important to insist, so fully and strenuously, upon this point for after all, the warrant will be of no use to those who have no heart to avail themselves of it. In considering this part of our subject, it may be observed,

I. That it is extremely futile to suppose the case of a man believing without a disposition to believe; and then gravely to make provision for it! Whatever warrant or encouragement may be given, unless we leave matters unexplained or mis-stated, so that men think they believe when they do not, the indisposed will utterly disregard our words. To lay the blame therefore on the want of a disposition to believe, can discourage none but such as are consciously unwilling; and these certainly are not entitled to encouragement: but, if the sinner had no warrant to believe, those would be discouraged who were most earnestly desirous of salvation; while the proud and careless would be furnished with an excuse for their unbelief.

Should we even say, 'A sincere willingness to be saved in the Lord's way is the sinner's warrant

to believe in Christ; and without this it is presumption to apply to him;' the consequence would be, that a newly-awakened person, defective in knowledge and judgment, destitute of experience, and agitated by tumultuous fears and conflicting passions, must solve to himself various difficult questions, concerning the nature of a sincere willingness, and the necessary measure of it, before he could think himself allowed to come to the Saviour. Whereas, if the nature of salvation and of faith be clearly explained; and all men without exception be invited, exhorted, besought, and commanded in the name and by the authority of God, to believe in his only begotten Son: the willing come without hesitation; others feel their reluctancy to be criminal, perilous, and fatal if not overcome; convictions are frequently excited, and prayers for a willing mind presented; and God blesses his own word to break the stout heart, and bind up the broken heart, while the obstinate are left without excuse.

It is a fact, capable of the fullest proof, that in those places, where nice speculations on these subjects are avoided, men find scarcely any difficulty respecting them: but, when deeply impressed with a sense of guilt and danger, and earnestly desirous of the salvation of the gospel; they apply to Christ for it, as the sick do for admission into an hospital. They seldom are troubled about a warrant to believe, though, finding much difficulty in actually believing, they are led to pray with him of old, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief;" and are often distressed with anxious fears, lest they should not believe aright, or with